Surrey FITA Star
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Which round/distance to
shoot?
This is a FITA STAR metric
shoot, which some archers, especially younger juniors, may not
have shot before. The distances are in metres, not in yards as at
most GNAS shoot. At the two longest distances the normal 122cm
full size face is used, on the shorter two distances a smaller
80cm face used. Make sure that you have practiced at the correct
distances and the smaller target face and made a note of the your
sight marks. We always start with the longest distance and work
down to the shortest distance. There are 3 dozen arrows at each
distance. Different age groups shoot different distances.
The FITA Outdoor Target Archery Round,
(FITA Star rounds) consists of 36 arrows from each of the
following distances (in metres) shot in this order (please see
new FITA Age group rules below)
| Men and Junior Men (U20) |
|
90 |
70 |
50 |
30 |
| Women, Cadet Men (U17), Junior
Women (U20)) |
|
70 |
60 |
50 |
30 |
| Cadet Women (U17) |
|
60 |
50 |
40 |
30 |
Juniors who wish to qualify for the FITA star will have to shoot the above rounds, for some
this will mean shooting up from their usual distance. We are also
offering the normal Metric rounds. Juniors can shoot their normal
distance, if they prefer, but their choice of round must be shown
correctly on the entry form e.g. Junior Men, Cadet Women (for the
FITA star rounds) OR Metric I through to Metric IV (non-FITA
star/Metric rounds). As most older Juniors are likely to want to
take the chance to shoot in the FITA star event target space on
the equivalent Metric rounds will be limited. FITA star badges
are NOT available to juniors who shoot the metric rounds
regardless of high their score is.
FITA Age rules: There
has been a change in FITA age groups for young archers. An
athlete may participate in a Cadet Class in FITA tournaments when
the competition takes place up to and in the year of his or her
17th birthday (e.g. born 1993 or later) An athlete may
participate in a Junior Class in FITA tournaments when the
competition takes place up to and in the year of his or her 20th
birthday (e.g. born 1990 or later) An archer who became 20 during
the first half of 2010, prior to the competition, is still
eligible to shoot as a Junior Man or Junior Women in the FITA
Star.
GNAS /Archery GB Age Rules:
Other metric rounds (non-FITA star) on offer to juniors, new
(April 2010) GNAS age rules apply- age is calculated on the day
of the competition, distances are in metres:
| Boys Under 18 (not
shooting as Junior Men) |
Metric I |
|
70 |
60 |
50 |
30 |
| Girls Under 18 (not
shooting as Junior Women) |
Metric II |
|
60 |
50 |
40 |
30 |
| Boys Under 16 (not
shooting as Cadet Men) |
Metric II |
|
60 |
50 |
40 |
30 |
| Girls Under 16 (not
shooting as Cadet Women) |
Metric III |
|
50 |
40 |
30 |
20 |
| Boys Under 14 |
Metric III |
|
50 |
40 |
30 |
20 |
| Girls Under 14 | Metric IV |
|
40 |
30 |
20 |
10 |
| Boys Under 12 |
Metric IV |
|
40 |
30 |
20 |
10 |
| Girls Under 12 | Metric V | 30 | 20 | 15 | 10 |
Adults who don't want to shoot the longer
FITA Star distances can shoot the metric rounds if space is
available. There is a column on the entry form to show that the
competitor is shooting out of class.
This competition is a FITA star, archers
who reach a certain score can claim a prestigious badge as
follows:
To qualify for a FITA Star under 18's
have to shoot the adult rounds as FITA Juniors, Under 16's shoot
as FITA cadet's to qualify. Juniors who choose to shoot the
Metric rounds do not qualify for a FITA Star award. Also see claims
page
What is bowstyle?
There are three recognised bowstyles in
FITA target archery; recurve, compound and standard. Recurve is
the most common style and shot at the Olympic Games. Compound
bows are shorter and have wheels and pulleys with lots of wires.
In this competition we refer to the bows in the standard bow
class as longbows. Longbow (see below) is the traditional
("bent stick") style that has been in existence for
many centuries and most closely associated with Robin Hood or the
military archers of the early Middle Ages. Longbows come under
the FITA regulation 7.3.2 for standard bows, These are simple
bows which, when fully assembled but unstrung, will pass
completely through a ring of 12.2 cm diameter. A recurve bow
without sights, sometimes called a barebow, is allowed for adults
but not for juniors.
Which type of arrows can
I shoot?
FITA told GNAS in January 2008 that
carbon arrows can NOT be banned at World Record Status events. So
in our FITA Star archers can shoot all normal styles; pure
carbons, mixed carbons (most archers shoot aluminium core with a
carbon outer), aluminium and wood. The reason some events banned
pure carbon arrows was because they are hard to find with a metal
detector in the grass. Events that do still want/have to ban
carbons can't now be world record status.
Arrows must have archers initials on and
be numbered (usually 1 to 12). You can use a permanent marker on
aluminium but will need to use transfer decals on black outer
carbons.
What do I put for handicap on the Entry Form?
Archers can either enter as individuals,
or someone in the club may do a entry on behalf of club members.
The first decision is,which distance to shoot (see above).
Entries for Juniors (under 18) have to show date of birth.
Juniors are allowed to shoot up an age group (e.g. shoot in an
older age group). Although the form asks for handicap and class
some archers may not know what this is, or may not actually have
a handicap. A handicap is calculated from 3 scored rounds by a
club records officer, every club is supposed to have one, ask
someone in your club who they are. If there is no known handicap
leave this blank. If a competitor is shooting out of their normal
class please make sure this is noted on the entry form.
Where is the entry form?
Where do I find the entry form? Click here
What about drugs testing?
This event is subject to random drugs
testing of all competitors, which doesn't mean it will happen but
it could. There is more information about anti-doping regulations
on the FITA (international archery) web site under the
anti-doping section at http://www.archery.org/ Ifa competitor refuses, or forgets, to take a
drugs test it is a very serious offence. Parents. orguardians,
must give written permission for a drugs test to be carried out
and there is a section on the entry form for this. If clubs are
doing the entry form on behalf of a group of juniors it can be
difficult to get this organised but could be done on the day of
the competition if the parent will be present at the event.
Competitors can not drink alcohol during the
competition (it is a banned substance) and nobody can smoke in
the competition area. Smoking is permitted away from the other
archers well behind the tents area.
Do competitors have be a member of GNAS or FITA?
As this is a record status event
competitors have to be members of a recognised club in the
Be prepared for a very long day. Assembly
will be about
Competitors have to sign in when they
arrive at the main tent. The organiser may do a spot check on
whether competitors have a GNAS (or FITA) membership card so make
sure it is available.
After 3 dozen arrows there is a short
break of 5 minutes, at the most, as the targets are moved
forward. At the following change of distance, between the 2nd and
3rd distances there is a longer break for lunch. The chief judge
announces when shooting will recommence. Shooting will finish
around 4.30pm or
How long is practice?
In a FITA star there is open practice for
about 40 to 45 minutes. There are no sighters as there are in
GNAS competitions. Practice starts at
What clothing should
the competitors wear?
As this is a record status shoot,
competitors have to wear particular colours. Traditionally this
is dark green or white, as shown in the above photo. In recent
years clubs have been able to create their colour schemes,
provided the club colours have been registered with GNAS you can
wear a club T-shirt. Competitors can wear shorts (of any length),
skirts or long trousers, in white or dark green (not camouflage
or sage green), unless the trousers are in club colours as well.
Trousers can have a small amount of piping/pattern. A judge can
prevent a competitor from shooting if they are not happy with a
competitors shooting colours, i.e. don't turn up in denim jeans!
What is the target list?
This is a list of all the competitors,
showing which number target they are shooting on.. It is
published a few days before the competition day,(see target
list page) however it can change
on the day. Competitors will be told at sign in if there is a
change to the target number. The target list also shows A/B/C or
D against each competitor’s name. A/B are the first detail
and C/D are the second detail. Competitors must know which letter
is next to their name and which detail they are in.
Where do competitors stand to shoot?
Competitors stand on the shooting line, A
and C stand on the left of the target number (marked on the
ground on the shooting line) facing the target. Competitors B and
D stand on the right of the number. Although that is the rule, at
most competitions, competitors make an amicable arrangement about
which side they stand. Some competitors put little foot markers
in the grass so that always stand in the same place each time.
Don't put foot markers down before an agreement has been reached
about who is standing where. When shooting, both feet should be
either side of the line. At some competitions there might be 5 or
6 competitors on a target, in which case A/D stand on the left,
B/E on the number and C/F on the right. A/B/C would be first
detail and D/E/F in the second detail. There is also a 3m dropped
arrow line. If your arrow falls off the bow and lands beyond the
shooting line, BUT not over the 3m line, you can ask the judge to
shoot another arrow. DON'T step forward to pick up the arrow
until going to score.
Before the competition starts competitors
should work out which is the shooting line (the numbers on the
ground are the clue), where they would prefer to stand if given a
choice, whether they are A/B in first detail or C/D second
detail, and introduce themselves to the other competitors on
their target. The target list will
show A/B/C/D against each name.
The competitors shooting the FITA star
will be nearest the road, Juniors shooting the Metric (non FITA
star) rounds will be nearer the river. There will be a 10m gap
between the two sections. See the detailed map for more information.
How does the timing work?
Competitors, who have never shot a FITA
rules event, will notice the timing as the most distinctive
difference from the usual GNAS rules shoots. We are using a
visual traffic light and clock system. When the first detail is
ready to shoot the red light will show with 20 seconds on the
clock. The archers go to the line but do not start shooting. The
clock will count down from 20 to 1, the green light will then
come on with 240 showing on the clock. Archers now have 240
seconds (4 minutes) to shoot all six of their arrows. Archers can
only shoot when the green or amber light is showing, they must
never shoot when the red light is showing.
The clock counts down from 240 seconds to
30 seconds and the light then changes to amber to warn
competitors that time is nearly up. At 0 the light goes red and
shooting stops. Arrows released after the red light comes on will
mean that the judge will deduct the highest scoring arrow, even
if that was not the arrow shot last.
Although it is very rare for anyone to go
into the red time zone it is the competitor’s responsibility
to watch the lights and clock. There will be a pair of lights to
the left and right of the FITA star shooting lanes at 30m from
the line. There will a separate pair of lights either side of the
junior metric rounds. The metric rounds are subject to the same
timing rules and use the same equipment as on the FITA Star.
There is one further variation in the
timing. At the shorter two distances, the better archers are
starting to get very good grouping of arrows in the centre of the
target. There could be 24 arrows (from 4 competitors) in the X
ring, in which case the chance of arrow damage would quite high.
To prevent this the arrows are shot in ends of 3 in 120 seconds
(2 minutes) and scored after the 3 arrows rather than the 6 as
was the case at the longer distances. The score sheet still shows
totals for 6 arrows. The clock counts down from 120 seconds,
rather than the 240 used at the longer distances, but the light
still goes amber at 30 seconds to go.
What are first and second detail?
In this competition A/B (first detail) go
to the shooting line first when the 20 seconds appears on the
clock and shoot 6 arrows in 240 seconds (see timing). When
the next 20 seconds appears on the clock the second detail of C/D
go to the line to shoot their six arrows. At the next end the
details rotate so that C/D shoots first. Details then keep
rotating each end. If competitors are not sure watch other people
who are shooting the same detail as them in adjacent lanes. It
also helps to look at the score sheet and to know that A/B always
start shooting at the beginning each dozen arrows. On the two
shorter distances the same rotation applies even though
competitors have 120 seconds to shoot 3 arrows.
What are bouncers?
In this competition bouncers are allowed,
BUT competitors have to make a mark next to all
their arrows with a pen BEFORE removing the arrows from the
target. (see diagram below) A bouncer is when a competitors arrow hits
the target (almost always a gold - or so it seems!) and bounces
out again. It might be because the arrow did not have enough
speed (younger juniors on longer distances are prone to this) or
it hits another arrow. A competitor who thinks that they have
shot a bouncer must raise their arm and ask the judge if they can
shoot an extra arrow, if the judge gives permission to shoot a
7th arrow they may mark the fletching. This is why most archers
carry at least one spare arrow in their quiver. The judge must
see the fallen arrow in front of the target and will search for
the unmarked hole on the target face. If the judge can't find an
unmarked hole they may remove the archers marked arrow's score.
How does the scoring work?
Scoring is FITA 10 zone. The inner ring
in the gold is scored as an X (worth 10 points), the next ring is
still worth 10, the outer ring in gold is worth 9. The inner red
ring is worth 8, the outer 7 and so on down to 1 on the outer
white ring. In the photo above the arrow on the left near the
centre is written down on the score sheet as an X, worth 10
points. The arrow on the right in the outer gold ring is not such
as good shot and only scores 9.
We do not score gold’s separately,
the totals on the score sheet show X and 10's. If an arrow hits
the dead centre (the X spot) it is called shooting a "dead
spider". The maximum score for 6 arrows is 60 points, the
maximum score for the round is 1440.
On the Junior Metric targets we need the
help of the parents for scoring, so we will come round looking
for volunteers. Please make sure that Juniorsknow to point at
their arrows and call their scores in groups of 3. The person
scoring will usually call the scores back to the competitor to
confirm the score. On senior targets the competitors agree
between themselves who will score (the target captain). When
calling the score the competitor points at each of their arrows
in turn, ALWAYS calling the highest scoring arrow first.
Competitors must NOT touch the arrows or the target face whilst
scoring. Arrows which have not scored are called as a Miss and
are written as M on the score sheet.
If the competitor realises they have
called the wrong score, OR the scorer writes down an incorrect
score for the arrows scores the scorer is NOT allowed to change
the arrow scores. They must call the judge who will write over
the top in a different colour ink and sign it. If the scorer
makes an error in adding up the score for half a dozen or a dozen
arrows they can correct this without calling the judge, BUT see
note below about void scores
As soon as all the arrows have been scored BUT BEFORE the
arrows are pulled the competitors (or parents helping) must put a
mark with an ink pen next to the hole for every arrow on the
target. This is because bouncers are
allowed. After all the arrows holes have been marked then the
arrows can be pulled.
Dozen scores, and running totals must be
completed on the main score sheet as well as 10's, X's, and final
total at the end. We do not record hits in this competition. The
organiser will also want the scorer to complete a tear off sheet
(shown below) with the totals for each competitor on the target
after each distance (each 3 dozen) A runner will collect these
from the score boards.
A leader board will be posted with all
the competitors’ scores after each change of distance except
after the last distance is finished.
Please note that it is the responsibility of each archer to
ensure that their final score and the totals of tens and X’s
recorded on the score sheet are correct. Please will archers keep
an accurate record of their own scores as the competition goes on
and check all the totals before signing the score sheet. Juniors
may wish to get their parents or another adult to check their
scores with them. Bring a calculator if you need it. The
final score of an archer, and any record claim, will be void
if the signed score is later found to be higher than the correct
total.
What are line cutters?
Line cutters are arrows cutting or even
just touching the line dividing the different scoring zones. In
this case the competitor claims the higher score. The competitor
can look closely at the hole the arrow has made but mustn’t
touch the paper face or the arrow. If the competitor thinks that
the arrow probably is touching the line but it is really a close
call they can say "I want to score this as a 9?" (if it
is touching the line between the red and the gold line) before
they start scoring properly. It is really a question, asked with
confidence, to the other competitors to challenge their claim.
The other competitors can look and will either confirm it is an
acceptable line cutter by giving the higher score or they will
disagree because they can see a tiny bit of colour of the lower
score zone around the whole of the arrow. The target captain (the
person scoring) can make a ruling, although the final decision is
always with the judge. It is really hard for Juniors to
understand the subtlety of a confident claim of a close call. If
they are just not sure about a line cutter they may prefer just
to ask the other competitors, or an adult scoring, what score the
arrow is.
Lots of recurve and compound archers use
a telescope (scope) as an aid to see their grouping of arrows on
the target. Weather conditions do make a difference to sight
marks. However, most archers don't start using one until they are
consistent in their groupings and making small adjustments would
make a difference to their score. Inexperienced competitors,
especially younger Juniors, do not usually shoot with a scope,
nor do longbow archers. In this competition competitors are
allowed to shoot with the scope next to them on the line and
do not have to remove the scope when finished shooting unless it
conflicts with another archer.
Can anyone take photos?
GNAS has a child protection policy that
covers photos of children at archery competitions. Anyone who
wishes to take photos, regardless of the intended subjects, is
required to sign their name and address on the photo list at the
official tent. Photos which appear in print or on a web site
should not show the full names of Junior competitors. The
organiser may issue numbered stickers to show which photographers
have signed in. Parents, who see someone taking photos of their
children, or other Juniors and is not displaying a sticker may
prefer to inform the organiser rather than challenge the
photographer.
What about prize giving
After everyone has packed their tents and
equipment away there will be a raffle draw, starting about 30
minutes after the end of shooting. Someone will be selling raffle
tickets throughout the day. The raffle draw and prize giving can
take an unbelievable long time. This is likely to finish at about
Photo: Tom Barber receiving his
trophy for winning the Gent's FITA at 2007 Jnr National Outdoor
Championships from Lucy Sullivan
Can competitors claim an award?
Certain scores mean competitors can claim
various badges or records, depending on the status of the shoot.
For more details see the claims page
...and finally - what is missing from the FAQ's?
If you have some suggestions for
something that is missing from the FAQ list, something is wrong,
or even if you found this section helpful, then please email the
organiser:
Photos by Gareth and